Viva Italia! Dinner Concert

WHEN: Friday, 20 May 2011

TIME: 7.00 pm

WHERE: Dell’Ugo Ristorante, 693 Brunswick St New Farm

Join OPERATIF! And special guest, Sicilian tenor, Antonio Nicolosi, who flies in from Rome, for a stunning evening of fine Italian food wine, opera and song in this iconic Brisbane Restaurant. OPERATIF! is delighted to be relaunching their Brisbane dinner shows by presenting this thrilling singer. Nicolosi is a Rome-based tenor and student of legendary tenor Nicola Martinucci. He has a magnificent dramatic tenor voice. Tickets $140 all inclusive of 3 courses, Italian wine and a night of singing.

After finishing secondary school in his native Sicily, Antonio Nicolosi worked in various jobs to finance his musical studies. Antonio’s first vocal master was Signor Filippo Sapienza of Catania with whom he studied the traditions of Italian song. In 1998, he discovered his was a voice-type suited to the great dramatic tenor roles. A true spinto tenor is always thrilling as they bring to life the passion and drama of the great roles in Italian opera. Antonio spent several years in Weimar, Germany, where he continued study at the Belvedere school and had the opportunity to perform in various concerts. Returning to Italy, Antonio settled in Rome where he was able to meet the esteemed Carlo Bergonzi who agreed to hear Antonio sing and after just a few lessons, declared his talent to be special. Antonio was advised to continue on his path of mastering his natural voice and a solid technique and to study the opera roles in preparation for a career as an operatic tenor.

To this end, Nicolosi has studied with master Nazareno Antinor (tenor) and the great soprano, Mirella Freni. He is currently under the tutelage of Rosalba Russo and renowned tenor Nicola Martinucci. His current repertoire includes Cavaradossi in Tosca, Calaf in Turandot and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Antonio continues his studies and concert performances in Rome and is thrilled to be making a first visit to Australia in May, especially to feature in a Festival to celebrate the joys of his native Italy. The various events featuring Antonio and OPERATIF! include a delicious Italian dinner and show at the renowned Dell ‘Ugo Ristorante in New Farm, a Sunday afternoon concert at the stunning Lake Macdonald Amphitheatre in Noosa Hinterland, a traditional Italian dinner and concert in Maleny and a concert in the fine acoustics of Ann St Uniting Church in Brisbane.